Achilles Tendonitis Irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone.

Bilateral
Pertaining to both sides of the body, i.e., left and right foot.

Endoscopic Surgery
Endoscopic Surgery is a tool that visualizes the end of a closed space. When using endoscopic surgery in conjunction with the foot, it is most often a procedure dealing with the plantar fascia. Endo means the end of, and Scopic to look at.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
A non-surgical procedure that pulverizes kidney stones through the use of shockwaves directed at the stones through a water medium. As the force of a shockwave causes the disintegration of the kidney stone, so does the acoustic energy promote healing in the distressed foot tissue.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
Extracorporeal shockwave treatment, also known as ESWT, is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. "Extracorporeal" means "outside the body". Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated from a special ESWT device, and focused onto the targeted tissue.

Heel Spur
A heel spur is a bony overgrowth on the bottom of the heel bone. The heel spur is often the result of an inflamed ligament (the plantar fascia) on the underside of the foot that attaches to the heel bone. Constant pulling of this ligament irritates the heel bone and the body creates a bone spur as a protective mechanism.

Non-Sterioidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID)
Unlike steroidal treatments for inflammation, NSAIDs do not treat inflammation, the body's natural healing response to trauma, by suppressing the immune system. Like aspirin, NSAIDs counteract inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. They exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic actions.

Orthopedics
The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

Orthotics
Orthotics are devices used to control abnormal foot function. When the foot is not functioning correctly, painful areas result. An orthotics device can relieve that pain by offering support to the ligaments and the bone structures of the feet.

Osteomylitis
Osteomylitis is an infection involving a bone. The condition is serious because treatment often requires several weeks of IV treatment with potent antibiotics. In some cases, surgery is required to treat the affected bone.

Plantar
Literally, pertaining to the sole of the foot.

Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue on the plantar surface of the heel that plays a large role in maintaining the normal architecture of one's foot.

Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common clinical condition caused by overuse or injury of the plantar fascia and is defined as traction degeneration of the plantar fascial band at its origin on the medial tubercle of the calcaneus. Inflammation, fibrosis, and decreased vascularization of the fascia occur, causing symptoms of sharp heel pain. Other symptoms that may occur include burning in the sole of the foot, recurring foot pain that is especially aching in the morning or after sitting, or heel pain after beginning a new exercise routine.

Podiatrist
A physician who specializes in the medical care and treatment of the human foot.>

Ultrasound
Ultrasonic sound is used to outline the shape of and/or to pinpoint various bodily organs and tissues for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Unilateral
Pertaining to one side of the body, i.e., left or right foot.